For expats an overview of buying a car in Netherlands and steps to follow when selling a vehicle including the transfer paperwork needed to officially change the owner.
The RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer) is the Netherlands’ national authority for road traffic, transport and vehicle administration. All motor vehicles in the country must be registered with the RDW. To register a vehicle it must be insured (mandatory 3rd party liability cover), have passed the APK vehicle roadworthiness test, pay any outstanding road tax and have valid registration plates.
New Dutch Registration Card
A new EU-standard credit card-type plastic registration document (Kentekencard) was phased in in the Netherlands from 2014-2018 (Directive 1999/37/EC). The registration card offers significantly more security features than the previous paper documents. In addition to the vehicle and vehicle owner details printed on the card, there is an embedded microchip which contains contact information.
PART I: Vehicle Certificate (Kentekenbewijs deel I) – this must be carried in the vehicle when using public roads.
- Tenaamstellingscode – The Kentekencard comes with a unique 9-digit attribution code which is required to make any changes to the vehicle’s registration (for example, to trade in, suspend, scrap or sell the vehicle). The first four digits appear on the Kentekencard, the last five digits appear on a card sent to you from the RDW. This second document that completes the code should be kept in a safe location at home, not in the vehicle. The exception to this is when a vehicle is leased (not purchased). In this situation, the document with the second part of the attribution code is sent to the leasing company that owns the vehicle.
PART II: Registration Certificate (Kentekenbewijs deel II) – The combination of registration card (Kentekencard) and this paper registration certificate part 2 are needed to export a vehicle out of the Netherlands.
REGISTRATION WHEN BUYING A CAR IN NETHERLANDS
Any vehicle, car, motorbike or trailer over 750 Kg, must be registered with the RDW. The vehicle owner must complete the registration (it can be done on someone else’s behalf in certain circ*mstances). The buyer of a used car from a private individual is responsible for registering transfer of ownership with the RDW.
Registration takes place at an RDW accredited dealership (if that is where the vehicle is bought from). In order to register a car or motorbike the new owner must be over 18 years old and resident in the Netherlands.
Documents Required for Registration
The following documents must be produced
- Proof of Identity (one of the following 3 options)
- A valid Dutch driving license (not more than 10 years old)
- A valid EU passport or ID card plus residence certificate and copy of personal data from the municipal register (not more than 3 months old)
- A valid foreign passport plus residence certificate and an original extract from the local register (not more than 3 months old)
- Vehicle Registration Card (‘kentekencard’)
- Attribution Code (‘tenaamstellingscode’)
The registration papers cannot be transferred into the name of the new owner until the identity and registration details have been checked with the RDW, this can normally be done on the spot.
Dutch Road Tax
Road tax (motorrijtuigenbelasting) must be paid on all vehicles. Once the registration papers are transferred, the new owner’s name is linked to the road tax liability. This is either paid for every three months or annually, either way a reminder and an invoice will be sent out when the payment is due. Various payment methods and terms are allowed. Pricing varies depending on the vehicle’s size and weight, its fuel and district of registration.
Check the Belastingdienst website for additional information.
BUYING A CAR ONLINE
Auto.nl sells new and secondhand cars completely online. The company is a division of the Loehman Groep, the official Dutch importers of car brands Toyota, Lexus, Suzuki, Mazda and Mitsubishi. Loehman has over 50 dealerships across the Netherlands and many vehicles listed on Auto.nl are from those dealerships. A car purchased through Auto.nl is delivered to the buyer’s home. The buyer has 14 days to decide whether to keep it or return it for a refund.
SELLING A CAR IN NETHERLANDS
Until a vehicle’s registration is officially transferred in the RDW database, the seller remains responsible for vehicle obligations and any fines incurred.
Selling/Trading-In to an RDW-accredited Dealer
If the dealership to which you are selling/trading-in your car is an official partner of the RDW, registration of ownership transfer can be completed on-site. You will need to present the vehicle registration card (kentekencard), attribution code (tenaamstellingscode) and a valid ID.
When the ownership transfer is completed, the dealer will provide you with an RDW printout showing the vehicle no longer registered in your name.
Selling to a Private Individual
If a vehicle is sold privately, the ownership transfer registration can be completed at a PostNL location. If the buyer does not hold a Dutch passport, Dutch driving licence or Dutch ID card, the registration must take place at an RDW office. The buyer is responsible for registering the change of ownership with the RDW.
Documents required:
- Vehicle Registration Card (Kentekencard)
- Attribution Code (Tenaamstellingscode)
- Proof of identification
The buyer will be given a certificate of indemnity to pass on to the seller.
It is normal practice for the seller to maintain possession of the vehicle until they have received the certificate of indemnity.
Dutch Road Tax
Any excess road tax that has been paid by the original owner will be repaid by the RDW from the date the vehicle’s registration changes. This is the same whether the car is sold to a garage or a private sale.
Lost/Missing Documents
If the vehicle is missing a number plate or the owner has lost the vehicle registration card or attribution code, they must secure replacements in order for the sale and ownership transfer registration to be completed.
Costs
There is a fixed cost for transferring the certificate of ownership; this is the same whether it is done at an RDW registered dealer or at the post office. If buying a new car, there is a further, one off, BPM charge for the vehicle certificate. BPM (Bijzondere Verbruiksbelasting van Personenautos) is a one-time vehicle tax paid by the first party to register it in the Netherlands.
Further Information
- Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer (RDW) Contact Page
- Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Bureau) Car Taxes Page
Related information…
DRIVING LICENSES IN NETHERLANDS
BUYING A DIPLOMATIC VEHICLE
